Muhammedkutty v. Tahasildar, Chavakkad Taluk

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM

PRESENT:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE P.R.RAMACHANDRA MENON TUESDAY, THE 10TH DAY OF MARCH 2015/19TH PHALGUNA, 1936 WP(C).No. 35327 of 2014 (M) PETITIONER(S):

----------------------- MUHAMMEDKUTTY, S/O. ALIKUTTY, AGED 34 YEARS, MANAPATTUPARAMBIL, CHAZHIYATTIRI P.O., THIRUMITTAKODU II VILLAGE, OTTAPALAM TALUK, PALAKKAD DISTRICT. (OWNER OF A LORRY BEARING REGISTRATION NO.KL-8-X-6119) BY ADV. SRI.P.M.ZIRAJ RESPONDENT(S):

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1. TAHASILDAR, CHAVAKKAD TALUK, THRISSUR DISTRICT-680001.

2. THE VILLAGE OFFICER, VADANAPPILLY VILLAGE, THRISSUR DISTRICT-680001.

3. THE SUB INSPECTOR OF POLICE, VADANAPPILLY POLICE STATION, THRISSUR DISTRICT-680 001.

R BY GOVERNMENT PLEADER SMT. ANITHA RAVINDRAN THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 10-03-2015, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: AD/

WP(C).No. 35327 of 2014 (M) APPENDIX PETITIONER(S)' EXHIBITS ------------------------------------- EXHIBIT P1: TRUE COPY OF THE SEIZURE MAHAZAR DATED 20.12.2014 PREPARED BY THE SECOND RESPONDENT.

RESPONDENT(S)' EXHIBITS --------------------------------------- NIL //TRUE COPY// P.A. TO JUDGE AD/

P.R. RAMACHANDRA MENON J.

--------------------------------------- Dated, this the 10th day of March, 2015

JUDGMENT

The vehicle bearing No.KL-8-X-6119 was seized by the 1st respondent alleging offence under the Mines and Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act and the Kerala Minor Mineral Concession Rules. The main ground of challenge is that, the 1st respondent is not having the jurisdiction or authority to effect seizure.

2. Heard both the sides.

3. The authority of the respondent to effect seizure has already been considered by this Court and the power and competence has been upheld as per the decision reported in Aloshias C. Antony Vs. Government of Kerala [2014(1) KLT 536]. The said decision was rendered, also taking note of the nature of offence which is a 'cognizable' one (notwithstanding anything contained in the Cr.P.C) as stipulated in Section 21(6) of MMDR Act, 1957 and also placing reliance on the judgment rendered by a Division Bench

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of this Court in Construction Materials Movers Association V. State of Kerala [2008 (4) KLT 909]. In the said circumstance, there is no tenable ground to call for interference.

4. When the matter came up for consideration on 23.12.2014, the vehicle was caused to be released, on satisfaction of a sum Rs.25,000/-. In the said circumstance, the further course of action required is to surrender the vehicle before the concerned respondent, so as to enable the respondent to produce it before the concerned Magistrate having jurisdiction over the area and to proceed with steps for prosecution, unless the offence is sought to be compounded.

5. The petitioner expresses desire to compound the offence by virtue of the enabling provisions under the relevant provisions of law. This Court finds it fit and proper to permit the petitioner to have the offence compounded on satisfying the compounding fee of Rs.25,000/-. The amount ordered to be paid as per the interim order dated 23.12.2014 shall be treated as compounding fee and offence shall be treated as

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compounded. Once the offence is compounded, no prosecution proceedings will lie in view of the law declared by this Court in Digil Vs. Sub Inspector of Police [2013(1) KLT 600]. It shall be reported to the concerned Magistrate, if the crime has already been reported. If there is any failure in satisfying the compounding fee, the respondent shall pursue further steps in connection with the prosecution before the concerned Magistrate having jurisdiction over the area. The writ petition is disposed of.

Sd/- P.R.RAMACHANDRA MENON, JUDGE.

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